Dr. William Butler, former Baylor College of Medicine president, dead at 85

Doctor made Houston school a basic science research powerhouse

Dr. William Butler, president of Baylor College of Medicine from 1979 to 1996, died Friday of pancreatic cancer.

Photo: Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. William T. Butler, who served as president of Baylor College of Medicine and authored a five-volume history of the school, died at home Friday of pancreatic cancer. He was 85.

Butler was president of Baylor from 1979 to 1996, during which time the Houston medical school became known as one of the nation's premier basic science research institutions. His presidency followed that of the late Dr. Michael DeBakey and preceded that of the late Dr. Ralph Feigin, two legendary clinicians.

"During his term as president, (Butler) led Baylor through a time of unprecedented growth and recruited superb scientists from around the country to establish Baylor as a research powerhouse," Dr. Paul Klotman, current CEO and president at BCM, wrote in an email to Baylor employees Friday announcing the death. "Butler dedicated his career to making Baylor the very best institution it could be and never wavered in his support of the school. His leadership at Baylor leaves a lasting impact on education, research and patient care."

Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, added that Butler was "a true giant in academic medicine and a wonderfully gracious individual. He will be missed."

Butler also served as interim president from 2008 to 2010, before Klotman was recruited to Baylor.

During his presidency, bButler oversaw the start or development of some of the medical school's most important projects, including the Human Genome Project, a vaunted international effort led by Baylor and a handful of other top institutions. Other big projects during his term included the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, the Children's Nutrition Research Center and the Center for Educational Outreach.

Butler also recruited some of Baylor's most renowned scientists, including Huda Zoghbi, Hugo Bellen and Richard Gibbs.

"Dr. Butler had a tremendous impact on Baylor," said Adam Kuspa, the college's dean of research. "He understood where Baylor could make its mark — by bringing together highly talented scientists in a collaborative atmosphere."

Kuspa also noted Butler's role as interim president, during difficult financial times for the college. "He saved the McNair Campus, he kept us an independent institution," said Kuspa, referring to board negotiations at the time to merge with Rice University and re-affiliate with long-time divorcee Baylor University in Waco and the possibility that the hospital it had begun building near the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center might be abandoned.

"It's remarkable all he did for Baylor," said Kuspa.

Butler joined Baylor in 1966, immediately establishing the immunology program and leading the division in the department of microbiology and immunology. He authored more than 100 publications in immunology and infectious diseases, especially focusing on the effects of corticosteroids and other drugs on the immune system and the immune system's rejection of heart, lung and kidney transplants.

Before becoming president, Butler served as Baylor's dean of admissions and executive vice president and dean in 1977. He was a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, two of the nation's most distinguished scientific bodies.

He recently finished the fifth volume of Baylor's institutional history.

In his free time, Butler was an enthusiastic underwater photographer.

A memorial service will be held at Baylor, but details have not been announced.

Todd Ackerman is a veteran reporter who has covered medicine for the Houston Chronicle since 2001. A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, he previously worked for the Raleigh News & Observer, the National Catholic Register, the Los Angeles Downtown News and the San Clemente Sun-Post.